JFK Islanders defeat Southern Dolphins in physical Championship soccer match

New league. Same champion.

For the fourth year in a row, but in a league that combined public and private school teams, the John F. Kennedy High School Islanders girls soccer team was crowned Champions Saturday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Harmon.

With one goal from Hana Flores and another from Jodie Halili, the Islanders defeated the Southern High School Dolphins and won the Inaugural Interscholastic Girls High School Football League 2-1.

“My team deserves it. We worked so hard throughout the season,” Halili said. “It's just such a surreal feeling. But it also feels like deja vu.”

After nearly 40 minutes of physical play, where both teams were penalized and free kicks were awarded, it appeared the teams were going to enter Halftime in a scoreless draw. But with 10 seconds remaining, the Islanders' Cassandra Kido drilled a corner kick that crossed the field and ended up just outside the top of the goalkeeper's box. With enough time and one chance to break open the stalemate, Flores blasted a shot past Dolphins goalkeeper Keiviann Susuico.

“I was always taught to be in that area. And I've taken shots but they never went in. They told me not to think about it. And, I did. I didn't think it was going to go in. But, it went in,” Flores said. “I'm really happy for us. The Seniors have been here since their freshman year, and I'm so glad that I could contribute. They really deserve it.”

With the second half under way, Southern started attacking. With a nearly perfect lead pass from Cindy Maestrecampo to Joelee Mansapit, right in front of JFK goalkeeper Aedlene Olidan, Mansapit couldn't quite catch up to the offering and the score remained 1-nil.

As both teams fought hard to keep possession, JFK earned another corner kick. This time, on the opposite end of the field, Kido rifled a shot to Halili who headed the ball past Susuico.

But with 20 minutes remaining in regulation, and a 2-0 lead, the determined Dolphins knew they still had a chance. And with Analea Meno and Maestrecampo dictating play and running the offense, the dynamic duo went to work.

One minute into a five-minute stoppage period, league MVP Meno passed to Maestrecampo who booted a goal past Olidan.

“There's just something about me and Cindy,” Meno said. “We've been playing together for so long. It's like we have telepathy. We're like telepathic. We can read each other's minds, basically. And you know, I can take the ball wherever and Cindy's always there for me.”

For Olidan, the nearly point-blank shot caused her to shudder.

“I saw that and was like: 'Oh, that's a goal!' Olidan said she thought to herself as the play unfolded. “I thought in my mind to challenge the ball, but I just froze when I saw Cindy crank back her foot.”

Postgame Awards

After the Islanders had a chance to hoist the hardware and celebrate the victory, the IGHSL All-Island first team and MVP were announced. Meno, received the league's highest honor – MVP.

Meno said winning MVP meant so much to her.

“I honestly had some doubts about myself with the way I was performing at the beginning of the season, but I'm glad I really pushed through and I showed out. And, here I am.”

The other first team awardees were: Ha'ani Byerly, goalkeeper, St. John's school; Orung Santos, defense, JFK; Caden Milner, defense, Harvest Christian Academy; Dolores San Gil, defense, Notre Dame High School; Brielle Naputi, defense, SHS; Kido, midfielder, JFK; Meno, midfielder, SHS; Victoria Rapadas, midfielder, Academy of Our Lady of Guam; Ny'kale Penn, midfielder, Guam High School; Hinengi San Nicolas, forward, AOLG; Aubrey Ibanez, forward, GHS; and Crista Cruz, Utility player, SHS.